January 16, 2011
Antarctic waiting room. (Photo by Eric Remza)
Ernest Shackleton put it best:
“Difficulties are just things to overcome, after all.”
This especially rings true for our Vinson climbers who have been sitting at Union Glacier for 9 days waiting for the familiar roar of the IL-76 on the horizon.  Bad weather, a Chilean fuel strike and mechanical issues with the plane have kept Greg and his crew waiting to get off the ice and Mike and his crew waiting in Punta Arenas to get on the ice. Both teams are chomping at the bit for exactly the opposite reasons. Hopefully they’ll be able to shake hands as one team gets off the plane and as the other gets on. Either way it’s going to be a couple days.
For now Greg and Co. have been passing the time playing lots of cards, volleyball (yes volleyball), and exploring some of the other smaller peaks in the area. Whereas Mike and Co. are checking out all that Punta Arenas and the surrounding areas have to offer.
Both teams are doing just fine and will have a heck of a story to tell…once their frustration fades.
Tye Chapman